Agenda - Environment Canterbury

Canterbury Water Management Strategy Waimakariri Zone Committee

Agenda Monday 9 July 2018 3.00pm Council Chambers, Waimakariri District Council, 215 High Street Rangiora

Members: David Ashby (Chair) Grant Edge (Deputy Chair) Carolyne Latham Judith Roper-Lindsay Gary Walton Cameron Henderson Michael Blackwell Arapata Reuben (Te Ngai Tūāhuriri Rūnanga) Cherie Williams (Te Ngai Tūāhuriri Rūnanga) Sandra Stewart (WDC Councillor) Claire McKay (ECan Councillor)

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Chairperson and Members CWMS WAIMAKARIRI ZONE COMMITTEE Agenda for the meeting of the CANTERBURY WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WAIMAKARIRI ZONE COMMITTEE to be held in the WAIMAKARIRI DISTRICT COUNCIL CHAMBERS, 215 HIGH STREET, RANGIORA on MONDAY 9 JULY 2018 commencing at 3.00PM. Adrienne Smith Committee Advisor

Recommendations in reports are not to be construed as Council policy until adopted by the Council

BUSINESS

PAGES

KARAKIA 1

APOLOGIES

REGISTER OF INTERESTS 5-6 Conflicts of interest (if any) to be reported for minuting. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 1.1

Minutes of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting – 11 June 2018 7 - 14 RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee:

(a)

Confirms the minutes of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting, held on 11 June 2018, as a true and accurate record.

MATTERS ARISING

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OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK

Page 1 of 3

9 July 2018 Summary Agenda CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee

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COMMITTEE UPDATES – Zone Committee Members, Lesley Woudberg (CWMS Facilitator, ECan) A Arps (Waimakariri Zone Delivery Manager, ECan) 15 3.1

CWMS Regional Committee meeting, 12 June 2018 – Carolyne Latham, (Waimakariri Zone Regional Committee Representative)

3.2

Waimakariri Zone Delivery update – Andrew Arps RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee: (a)

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Receive these updates for its information and with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities.

Ngai Tahu Farming 16 RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee (a)

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Receive the information and reflect on the steps to reduce nitrate discharges that it is considering as part of the Land and Water Solutions Programme.

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group – Update – Nick Ledgard 17 - 18 RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee (a)

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Receive this update for its information with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities.

Waimakariri District Council – Update Gerard Cleary (Manager Utilities and Roading, WDC), Owen Davies (Drainage Asset Manager, WDC), Colin Roxburgh (Water Asset Manager, WDC) and Brett Beer (Hurunui District Council) 19 - 21 RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee

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(a)

Receives this update for its information.

(b)

Notes that Waimakariri District Council staff will continue to seek solutions to address the issues associated with avian botulism, sea foam, enterococci, odour control and midges at its WWTP. Page 2 of 3


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(c)

Notes that Waimakariri District Council staff will continue to investigate options to improve the performance of Pond C.

(d)

Notes that WDC water takes CRC160704 & CRC971820 and HDC water take CRC161302 are required for the current and future management of these schemes.

CORRESPONDENCE 7.1

Response Letter from B Bayfield, (ECan Chief Executive 22 RECOMMENDATION THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee (a)

Receives this item for its information.

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GENERAL BUSINESS– Dave Ashby (Committee Chairperson)

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KARAKIA

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NEXT MEETING

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WAIMAKARIRI ZONE COMMITTEE Register of Interests – at June 2018 Name

Committee Member Interests

David Ashby

- Director/shareholder: Pineleigh Farm Limited - Director/shareholder: Dave Ashby Rural Consultants Limited - Shareholder: Waimakariri Irrigation Limited - Member: Cust Main Drain Water User Group

Michael Backwell

- Director/ Shareholder Blackwells Limited , Kaiapoi - Treasurer, North Canterbury Clay Target Association - 4HA property, Tuahiwi.

Grant Edge

- Director: Edge Landscape Projects Ltd, Edge Plants Ltd, and Edge Products Ltd - Member: NZ Institute of Landscape Architects - Member: Urban Design Forum - Member: QEII National Trust - Member: NZ Forest & Bird - Member: Heritage NZ - 1ha property Fernside (shallow bore user)

Cameron Henderson

- Dairy Farmer - Groundwater irrigator - Member - NZ Institute of Primary Industry Management - Member - NZ Dairy Environment Leaders Forum - Chairman - DairyCan - Canterbury Dairy Environment Leaders Forum - President - North Canterbury Federated Farmers

Carolyne Latham

- Farmer: Sheep, beef and racehorse agistment - Director of Latham Ag Ltd Consulting - Shareholder: Silver Fern Farms, Farmlands - Registered Member: New Zealand Institute of Primary Industry Management - Member: Canterbury Ice Hockey Association

Claire McKay

- Dairy Farmer - Irrigator and shareholder: Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd - Holder of Groundwater take and use consents in Cust groundwater allocation zone - Holder of Effluent discharge consents - Member: Federated Farmers - Member: DairyNZ Dairy Environmental Leaders forum - Member: P21 Canterbury Industry Advisory Group

Arapata Reuben

Trustee – Tuahiwi Marae Trustee – Tuhono Trust Trustee – Mana Waitaha Charitable Trust Member - National Kiwi Recovery Group Rūnanga Rep and Chair – Christchurch – West Melton Water Zone Committee Rūnanga Rep Ashburton Water Zone Committee

Judith Roper-Lindsay

- Director/ecologist: JR-L Consulting Ltd. - Land-owner/small-scale sheep farmer, Ashley downs - Fellow: Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand (EIANZ)

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Sandra Stewart

- Self-employed journalist - Land-owner, 4ha Springbank – sheep & dogs

Gary Walton

- Director, Walton Farm Consulting Ltd - Director & Shareholder, Loburn Irrigation Co - Trustee, Rugby World Heritage Trust - Ashley Rugby Football Club (Inc.) - Farmer, sheep & cattle, Loburn

Cherie Williams

- Member: Mana Whenua Working Party - Tangatiaki / Kaitiaki - NZTA Northern and Southern Bypass Rūnanga Representative

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MINUTES FOR THE MEETING OF THE CANTERBURY WATER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY WAIMAKARIRI ZONE COMMITTEE HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 215 HIGH STREET, RANGIORA ON MONDAY 11 JUNE 2018 AT 4.00PM.

PRESENT David Ashby (Chair), Cameron Henderson, Carolyne Latham, Arapata Reuben (Te Ngai Tuahuriri Runanga), Claire McKay (Environment Canterbury Councillor), and Sandra Stewart (Councillor, Waimakariri District Council)

IN ATTENDANCE Brent Walton (General Manager, WIL), Gavin Reed (WIL), Mike O’Connell (Senior Policy Analyst, WDC), Geoff Meadows (Policy Manager WDC), Jason Butt (Biodiversity Officer, ECan), Linda Pocock (Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group), Michael Bate (Kaiapoi), Gina McKenzie (Real Communications), Teresa Earl, Steve Chandler (Rayonier Matariki Forests), Randal Inch (Rangiora), Dugald McLean (Farmer, Fernside), Lesley Woodburg (ECan), Victoria Trayner, (Oxford), Mike Prattley (Farmer), Alan Hawkins (Ag Consultant), Andrew Mehrtens (Farmer), R Johnston (Ashley Gorge), Jessica Steel (ECan), Emma Brand (Synlait Milk), Dave Winter, Des Winter (Farmers, W S Winter & Sons Ltd), Jason Holland (ECan), Shane Kelly (Ngai Tahu Farming), Ash-Leigh Campbell (Ngai Tahu Farming), Richard Stalker (Keswick Farm Dairies Ltd) Andrew Arps (Zone Delivery Team Manager, ECan), Murray Griffin (CWMS Facilitator, ECan) and Adrienne Smith (WDC Committee Advisor).

KARAKIA

Arapata Reuben conducted the karakia. 1

APOLOGIES

Moved D Ashby seconded C McKay THAT apologies for absence be received and sustained from committee members Judith Roper-Lindsay, Grant Edge, Gary Walton and Michael Blackwell. CARRIED REGISTER OF INTERESTS Cam Henderson noted that he is now President of the North Canterbury Federated Farmers.

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11 June 2018 Minutes CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee

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CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES 1.1

Minutes of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting – 12 March 2018

Moved C Latham seconded A Reuben THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee:

(a)

Confirms the minutes of the Canterbury Water Management Strategy Waimakariri Zone Committee meeting, held on 12 March 2018, as a true and accurate record, with the agreed update in Item 2, (Opportunity for

Public it Speak), Paul Reece, Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd, (WIL) update. CARRIED

MATTERS ARISING There were no matters arising. 2

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO SPEAK

Michael Bate (Kaiapoi) Mr Bate spoke briefly to the committee on his concerns of the effects on the environment and waterways with excessive use of nitrate fertilisers. Mr Bate believes that farming practices around nitrate fertilisers are polluting groundwater as has never happened before in our history and soon the water will be unusable by humans or animals. Mr Bate said that today we need to farm to protect the environment which means dairying and fertiliser use must be reduced urgently to maintain a healthy environmental standard. In the past the supply of fish in local rivers was much better than what is available now. Mr Bate showed some videos of waterways in the district showing the toxic algae present. A handout was made available to all committee members focusing on the damage that is being done to the environment and waterways by excessive use of nitrate fertiliser. Robert Johnston, Ashley Gorge Mr Johnston spoke on the ongoing issue with the Ashley river flow affecting the loss of their farm land at Ashley Gorge. This matter has been bought to the attention of the Committee on several occasions in the past. Mr Johnston believes there is not enough being done about this situation. One of the issues is the build up of vegetation and Mr Johnston is very interested to know what the Zone Committee has planned for control of vegetation in this particular part of the river. It is understood that there has been some spraying of vegetation downstream from the confluence. The continued loss of their farm land won’t be stopped unless something is done soon. Mr Johnston wishes to have a joint meeting with representatives from ECan, WDC and members of his family, noting there are at least five parties involved in this situation. Ecan staff present advised that a Geomorphic study has been undertaken of the vegetation in the river and results have not been received yet. A proposed spray programme over a period of three years is planned with a cost of $50,000 in the first year and approx. $20,000 for the next three year so ECan needs to be confident that such a programme will be effective. Mr Johnston reiterated the invitation to Committee members who may wish to visit the part of the river 180611064353 EXT-01-35-01

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Brent Walton, WIL B Walton from Waimakariri Irrigation Ltd, explained how the Regen project was being rolled out in the two zones on the north and south of the Eyre river. WIL anticipated having all the Farm Environment Plans audits on the north side completed by September this year. Starting to see good improvements in irrigation practices, and aggregated data is proving useful. Regen has a nitrogen app, which quite a few farmers are using. This tells farmers where to put the nitrogen on when the best uptake is likely to occur, and this will help eliminate runoff issues. The water storage facility case will be heard in the Environment Court On Monday next week. It is hugely important for GMP that there is a reliable source of water. Following a question from D Ashby, B Walton advised that of the Farm Environmental Plans being managed through the WIL consent and those which have been audited, there are 26 C, and 4 D audits. These need to be improved by next year, and support will be provided to all these farmers. Cam Henderson asked if it was possible for the committee to have a presentation the Regen data. Brent suggested that it would be good for farmers not part of the WIL to see this. 3

COMMITTEE UPDATES – Zone Committee Members, M Griffin (CWMS Facilitator, ECan) A Arps (Waimakariri Zone Delivery Manager, Ecan) 3.1

CWMS Regional Committee meeting, 13 March 2018 – Carolyne Latham, (Waimakariri Zone Regional Committee Representative) This report was taken as read.

3.2

Omnibus Plan Change 2019 - Andrea Richardson, (Senior Planner) Murray spoke to this item, noting the proposed regionally significant topics for Omnibus Plan Change 2019. The next Omnibus Plan Change will be in 2022. S Stewart asked with reference to the braided river section if the Omnibus Plan Change would cover the issue that Mr Johnston has with the river adjoining his farm property? ECan staff member said the Omnibus Change relates more to how the rules can be applied to particular areas. This is more about the rules of what people can and cannot do within the confines of the riverbed.

3.3

Letter to Canterbury Regional Council – Zone Committee Powers - (Wynn Williams Lawyers) This letter has been provided to all Zone Committees after the powers of the committees was questioned by Forest and Bird. This letter clarifies what was raised in the Hurunui-Waiau Zone and is relevant to all Zone Committees.

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3.4

Canterbury Southern Black-backed Gull/Karoro Strategy – Mike Bell, Wildlife Management International Ltd, Frances Schmechel and Donna Lill (ECan) This paper gives a view of the Regional Strategy as it has been applied. Following a question from Cr Claire McKay, Jason confirmed it was a national issue. Zone Delivery Update It is planned to have a workshop with committee members to discuss projects. 150 kowhai trees have been gifted from Fulton Hogan to go in the Regional Park Corridor. Update on the Loop Track, a plan is being drawn up by Matt Lester for this track, which will be available soon. Pursuing funds from Fonterras 50 catchments for planting around the estuary and Taranaki Stream. Environmental Step Change Awards at ENC Business Awards.

3.5

Waimakariri River Regional Park Corridor Jason Butt spoke on this item which was a series of projects undertaken, nine in total in this zone. Some of these have been successful and some have been in quite harsh conditions and plants have struggled to survive. Good successes were around allowing natural processes to take place. Moved C McKay seconded C Latham THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee: (a)

Receive these updates for its information and with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities. CARRIED

3.6

Applications for Immediate Steps Funding Easterbrook Road Community Planting– Jason Butt (ECan) At this time, Chair D Ashby declared a conflict of interest and moved away from the table. D Ashby is one of 12 landowners involved in this proposed project to revegetate a stretch of waterway from the springhead near No. 4 Drain to Fernside Road. This project also relates to property owned by committee member Grant Edge. It was noted that Immediate Steps Funding Applications are usually only considered up to $40,000. This project is looking at planting 1.8km of stream and protection and overall improvement of the wetland at the head of this waterway. Community member’s motivation is to eventually reintroduce fresh water crayfish into the area.

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C McKay suggested this is a lot of work to get done in one year. Jason Butt (ECan) confirmed it is proposed to have the planting completed in the next six months. S Stewart questioned the “other” contributions listed in the application, and it was confirmed that the landowners will all be contributing. Protection of any Immediate Steps project when there is a new owner in the future is only for ten years. S Stewart questioned this input of ratepayer funding and is there any other ways to protect this work in the future. With 12 landowners, J Butt suggests that this reduces the risk considerably. Concerns of S Stewart were acknowledged. Regarding the completion of this project, J Butt noted that there is included in the agreement a clause to cover that if the project is not completed, funding will be withdrawn. L Pocock suggested that this could be an opportunity to apply for a QE11 covenant on the land to protect this project. J Butt noted this and said he could approach the landowners on their thoughts on this. It was agreed that this would be reported back to the committee. It was also suggested that these proposed vegetation sites on the 12 properties could be included in the WDC District Plan. Mr Arps added that this matter will be bought back to the committee when this information has been sourced. It was noted that there was possibly an issue of a quorum of the Committee not being present, due to Chair D Ashby stepping away from the table during consideration of this item. It was subsequently confirmed that even though not at the table, Chair D Ashby was still present in the meeting and the quorum was retained. Moved C Henderson seconded C McKay THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee: (a)

Approves in principal application for Immediate Steps Funding to the Easterbrook Road Community Planting for $49,710. CARRIED

3.7

Applications for Immediate Steps Funding Dagnum Habitat Restoration Project– Jason Butt (ECan) J Butt presented this funding application for work on the Waimakariri Corridor Project which will involve the removal of grass sward from former braid channels along with topsoil to allow indigenous flora recruitment. This is an area of approximately four hectares. The scraping removal will be quite shallow. This is ECan owned land and the work will be undertaken by staff. It was suggested that a small pilot area be undertaken to determine if this would work in this area and it is not destroying habitat.

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Moved A Rueben seconded C McKay THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee: (a)

Approves the application for Immediate Steps Funding to the Dagnum Habitat Restoration project for $8,000 with conditions to be included in the agreement regarding trapping. CARRIED

3.8

Applications for Immediate Steps Funding Kanuka Row – Jason Butt (ECan) J Butt presented this funding application for enhancement work on the north side of the Waimakariri River. This will involve the excavation scrapes for Kanuka planting of 200 plants Moved C Henderson seconded C McKay THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee: (a)

Approves the application for Immediate Steps Funding to the Kanuka Row project for $8,000. CARRIED

3.9

Communications Update G McKenzie highlighted the recent pilot project on lifestyle blocks, run by the Zone Committee. There are around 4,500 lifestyle blocks in Waimakariri and though these don’t contribute significantly to water quality, they have an impact on the environment. The Workshops held, included animal welfare, riverside planting, waterways, pasture growth, feed requirements as well as fertiliser use. Two different publications have included articles about these workshops in their recent issues and the positive response to them. These are the “Build and Renovate Today” and “Harcourt’s Rural Life – Autumn Edition”

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DRAFT LAND AND WATER SOLUTIONS PROGRAMME - UPDATE– Murray Griffith (ECan) Murray presented an update, which notes the amendments of a two month extension to the process. This doesn’t change the notification date of June 2019. The draft recommendations (ZIPPA) are to now be out in September 2018. This allows the committee more time for engagement with the community. D Ashby said this is very important that this two month extension to engage with affected partners. The nitrate assessment from ECan indicated the situation is significantly worse than first thought. This two months will allow time to work through the farmer reference group and work in with the Christchurch West Melton Zone Committee, as they are equally affected by this. D Ashby reassured those members of the public present that the committee will be engaging with them through this process. Moved C Latham seconded A Rueben THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee

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(a)

Receives and endorses the proposed schedule for drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities. CARRIED

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UPDATE ON KAIAPOI RIVER REHABILITATION PROJECT AQUATIC PLANTING 2018– Janet Fraser (Utilities Planner, Waimakariri District Council) and Andrew Arps (Waimakariri Zone Manager ECan) Ms J Fraser provided a brief overview of the WDC summer aquatic planting, and advised that the Council has approved its budget for the river dredging in the LTP. The Council is undergoing a consent process with ECan for this dredging. A Arps provided an update on the ECan planting, on the riverbanks at Kaiapoi which is due to happen very soon. This is on the north side of the river from the Williams Street Bridge to the confluence with the Cam, an area of approximately 50 metres long. S Stewart asked if there was any work planned on the dead willows and A Arps will follow up with this. A Rueben asked of the effects of willow removal on banks stability. A Arps said this is River Engineering work and he would need to get back to the committee with the information. Following a question from S Stewart, it was confirmed that ECan will not be providing funding towards the dredging for the Coastguard. This is not considered flood control, which ECan are responsible for. Moved C Henderson seconded A Rueben THAT the CWMS Waimakariri Zone Committee (a)

Receives this update report about the Kaiapoi River aquatic and terrestrial planting and proposed navigation channel dredging project. CARRIED

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GENERAL BUSINESS AND FUTURE MEETING PRIORITIES – Dave Ashby (Committee Chairperson) C McKay noted she had been approached by C McIntosh who wished to show the committee a report that he had spoken with ECan staff about. Murray will follow this up and circulate this to the committee members. This report is around scientific evidence which supports the minimum flows of the Cam River. This report is from 2001. D Ashby noted he had been contacted by Janet Gregory, Landcare Research Trust, who work in conjunction with Deer Farmers Association. This group would like to invite members of the committee to visit deer farms, in particularly to understand the need for wallowing. D Ashby suggests this would be a worthwhile educational visit and sought comments from members. The property to be visited would be in North Loburn. D Ashby will follow up arrangements for a visit and a date will be set. D Ashby took the time to note that there is a lot of decisions to be made over the next few months by the committee. It will be important for this committee

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to work together with the community and thanked members of the public for their attendance today. 7

KARAKIA Arapata Rueben conducted a karakia.

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NEXT MEETING The next meeting of the Zone Committee is scheduled to be held on Monday July 9th.2018 at 3.00pm.

CONFIRMED ________________ Chairperson

________________ Date

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AGENDA ITEM NO: 3

SUBJECT: Committee Updates

REPORT TO: Waimakariri Water Zone Committee

MEETING DATE: 9 July 2018

REPORT BY: Lesley Woudberg, CWMS Facilitator – Team Leader, ECan

PROPOSAL This agenda item provides the committee with an overview of updates for review. RECOMMENDATIONS ∑ The Zone Committee are asked to receive these updates for its information and with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities. COMMITTEE UPDATES The following updates are tabled for the committee: 1. CWMS Regional Committee meeting – 12 June 2018 The last Regional Committee Working Groups meeting was held on Tuesday 12 June. o

Carolyne Latham, the Zone Committee’s CWMS Regional Committee representative, has provided notes on the 13 March Working Group meeting which is provided as agenda item 3-1.

o

The link to the CWMS Regional Committee papers is provided below: https://ecan.govt.nz/data/documentlibrary/?Search=regional+water+management+committee%2C+agenda&docu mentTypes=-1&pageSize=12&start=1&sortDir=desc

2. Waimakariri Zone Delivery –Update Zone Delivery Manager, Andrew Arps, will provide an update for the committee on issues raised during the Committee’s last meeting and current Zone Delivery team work.

RECOMMENDATIONS ∑ The Zone Committee are asked to receive these updates for its information and with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities.

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AGENDA ITEM NO: 4

SUBJECT: Committee Updates



REPORT BY: Ngai Tahu Farming

PROPOSAL This agenda item provides the committee information on how Ngai Tahu Farming manages of nitrates from its properties. RECOMMENDATIONS ∑ The Zone Committee are asked to receive the information and reflect on the steps to reduce nitrate discharges that it is considering as part of the Land and Water Solutions Programme.

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AGENDA ITEM NO: 5

SUBJECT: Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group – Update



REPORT BY: Nick Ledgard, ARRG

PURPOSE This agenda item provides the committee with an update on the Ashley Rakahuri Weed Clearance and Island Enhancement project. RECOMMENDATIONS ∑ The Zone Committee are asked to receive this update for its information with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities. BY WHO ∑ This briefing will be provided by Nick Ledgard, Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group BACKGROUND Project Details Supporting Organisation/ Community Group

Ashley Rakahuri Rivercare Group

Project CWMS Zone

Waimakariri

Project Location

Ashley Rakahuri River Between E: 1558831.07 / N: 5208260.81 and E: 1571302.23 / N: 5208331.58

Nature of Project

Creation, Enhancement, Protection

Habitat Type

Braided Rivers, Dryland Ecosystems

Project Aim

To protect and restore previous and existing breeding habitat of wrybill, black-fronted tern and banded dotterel in the lower reaches of the Ashley-Rakahuri River.

Project Outcomes

Creation of nesting habitats (river gravel islands) Remove weeds, such as lupin, gorse and broom, from the islands allowing the creation of the required open riverbed sites with clear ground horizons for successful breeding and to reduce predator habitat Create predator-free islands Increase bird and chick survival during the nesting season due to a reduction of weeds and pests Decrease anthropogenic disturbance during the breeding season

Works to be undertaken Pest control area (ha): 50.00 Weed control area (ha): 50.00 Earthworks to shape islands and remove weeds

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Costs permitting - additional clearance of weeds from within-river spring sites that are important bird-feeding areas Note that ongoing monitoring, predator trapping will occur alongside the above actions.

RECOMMENDATIONS ∑ The Zone Committee are asked to receive this update for its information with regard to the committee’s 5 Year Outcomes, drafting of the Land and Water Solutions Programme recommendations, and 2018 community engagement priorities.

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AGENDA ITEM NO: 6

SUBJECT: Waimakariri District Council – Update



REPORT BY: Gerard Cleary, Owen Davies and Colin Roxburgh – Waimakariri District Council and Brett Beer – Hurunui District Council

PROPOSAL This report provides the Waimakariri Water Management Zone Committee with an update on the following three areas as previously requested by the zone committee. Presentations will be given at the meeting by staff as shown below. • • •

WWTP operational matters – avian botulism, sea foam, enterococci, odour control and midges – Gerard Cleary, WDC Utilities and Roading Manager Pond C operation update – Owen Davies, WDC Drainage Asset Manager WDC & HDC Ashley River water takes – Colin Roxburgh, WDC Water Asset Manager & Brett Beer, HDC Team Leader 3 Waters Assets

WWTP OPERATIONAL MATTERS The Eastern Districts Sewer Scheme (EDSS), which includes the Rangiora WWTP, Kaiapoi WWTP, Waikuku Beach WWTP and Woodend WWTP, serves approximately 43,000 people. It discharges into Pegasus Bay via a 1.5km ocean outfall pipeline. The 2016/17 annual compliance report undertaken for EDSS shows that the operation of the system is fully compliant with the resource consent requirements. There have however been a number of concerns raised by the public relating to the following issues: • • • • •

Midges and other nuisance insects around wastewater treatment plant sites, Generation of odours at treatment plant sites, Monitoring of sea foam that could be a result of Council’s ocean outfall, Efforts toward minimizing chances of future incidences of avian botulism, and Further testing to determine the cause of excessive levels of enterococci in the ocean outfall.

The attached report (TRIM 180301021693, refer attachment i) provides a summary of work currently being progressed by the WDC to address these issues.

POND C OPERATION UPDATE Pond C is located at the intersection of Fernside Road and Flaxton Road in Rangiora and serves the Southbrook Industrial catchment. The pond was constructed in 2011, but is

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currently not performing as expected due to plant die off and sediment build up within the pond. This has led to discoloured water being discharged following rainfall events. WDC have engaged Opus to undertake further assessment to survey the silt levels, undertake a contamination assessment and the review the current consent compliance status and identify measures to address any identified that is non-compliant. WDC are also looking at measures to ensure that the runoff from industrial sites is not causing excessive sediment loading on the stormwater ponds. It is also noted that naming of Pond C, as well as all other stormwater management areas in the Waimakariri District Council, is planned to be reviewed and new more appropriate names assigned later this year.

WDC & HDC ASHLEY RIVER WATER TAKES The WDC holds two consents for takes from the Ashley River (CRC971820 & CRC160704) and the Hurunui District Council holds one consent (CRC161302) – refer Table below. Note these are groundwater takes but effectively take river flows as they are shallow intakes (i.e.: stream depleting groundwater takes). Table 1 – Takes from the Ashley River Consent No.

Owner Scheme

Status

CRC971820 WDC

Summerhill Water Supply

Emergency connected.

source

not

currently

CRC160704 WDC

Rangiora Water Supply

Backup and emergency source.

CRC161302 HDC

Ashley Rural Water Supply

Primary source of water for the scheme.

Consent CRC971820 is for the Campions Road Well which is the emergency supply for the Summerhill Scheme. The Campions Road Well was previously used as a source for Summerhill prior to the upgrade and connection of the Summerhill Scheme to the West Eyreton Scheme in 2009. The emergency source is currently not physically connected to the existing system, so would require works if it was to be used. This would be required if there was a long duration outage to the transfer main between West Eyreton and Summerhill. The consent allows the Council to take up to 7 L/s from the Ashley River. Consent CRC160704 is for the Ayers Street Wells and Dudley Park Wells which are back up supplies for the Rangiora Scheme and also for the Western Wells which is the emergency supply for the Rangiora Scheme. The Western Wells was previously used as a source for Rangiora prior to the upgrade and installation of the new wells in Smith Street, Kaiapoi in 2011. The Western Wells emergency source are currently not physically connected to the existing system, so would require works if it was to be used. This would be required if there was a

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long duration outage to the Smith Street Wells or the transfer main between Kaiapoi and Rangiora. The consent allows the Council to take up to 270 L/s from the Ashley River from the three sources. Consent CRC161302 is for the Lower Sefton Road Wells which is the primary supply for the Ashely Rural Water Supply Scheme. The consent allows the Council to take up to 70 L/s from the Ashley River. The take was increase by 30 L/s in 2016 when WDC transferred part of the consented take from CRC160704 to CRC161302. The scheme currently needs to go on water restrictions in times of low flows in the Ashley River, so HDC is in the process of upgrading the scheme to be less reliant on this river source.

RECOMMENDATION That the Zone Committee: (a)

Receives this update for its information.

(b)

Notes that Waimakariri District Council staff will continue to seek solutions to address the issues associated with avian botulism, sea foam, enterococci, odour control and midges at its WWTP.

(c)

Notes that Waimakariri District Council staff will continue to investigate options to improve the performance of Pond C.

(d)

Notes that Waimakariri District Council water takes CRC160704 & CRC971820 and Hurunui District Council water take CRC161302 are required for the current and future management of these schemes.

(e)

Circulates this report to the Waimakariri District Council’s Utilities and Roading Committee for their information.

22

Environment

Canterbury

Regional Council Kaunihera Taiao ki Waitaha

Customer Services

P. 03 353 9007 Or 0800 324 636

26 June 2018

200 Tuam Street

PO BOX345 Christchurch 8140

Dave Ashby Chair - Waimakariri Water Zone Committee 256 Hicklands Rd Flaxton

www.ecan.govt.nz/contact

RD1 Kaiapoi 7691

Dear Dave,

Waimakariri Land & Water Solution Package - extension of time for community engagement

Thank you for your letter dated 5 June 2018 requesting an extension to the Waimakariri Zone Committee's timetable to deliver recommendations to improve land and water management in the Waimakariri zone.

Councillors and senior staff have been kept informed of the issues you are grappling with and your wish to include further opportunities for community engagement. You are at the forefront of leading change in your community which is not an easy task. I commend you for your efforts to date and look forward to receiving your recommendations in December 2018.

Yours sincerely,

Bill Bayfield Chief Executi

Our ref: CORP/MGT/1/6